New LI push for alternative energy

Some Long Island business and political figures are in the process of putting together what might be one of the largest energy conferences in Long Island's history.

Big Oil - Exxon Mobil, BP, ConocoPhillips - and others are being invited to discuss ways of moving the Island to alternative energy sources.

"They're [the big oil companies] in a position where things are going to change no matter what they do," said Jane Greenstein, president of GreenPowerWorks.com, a Roslyn Heights business that helps companies and individuals find financing for green energy. Greenstein is helping put together the conference, to be held in May, along with the business group Action Long Island.

Greenstein got involved with energy financing after searching for loans to equip her Roslyn Heights home with solar panels. She found the search for money tough, and so started her business. State Sen. Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset), who has received recognition for his environmental legislation such as the Brownfield-Superfund Reform Law, has been asked to speak at the conference.

"I'm hoping this is going to be different," Marcellino said, noting that there have been energy conferences before. "Our economic situation is making people look at [fuel] alternatives. I think green is finally catching on."

Sheldon Sackstein, Action Long Island's chairman, said the organization initially wanted simply to do a study of how the Island could move toward renewable energy. But he said "we started to look at it, and we decided we needed" to invite the Big Oil companies involved in the conference.

"I don't think there's anyone who doesn't want to do this," Sackstein said, referring to the move to renewables. "But at the same time there's a cost attached to it. We've got to do this in a reasonable, affordable way."